New six-year study confirms that outpatient artificial disc replacement is a safe, efficient, and cost-effective solution for cervical spine conditions.
 |
| Research from DISC Surgery Centers reveals that multilevel artificial disc replacement procedures can be safely performed in outpatient facilities, with no complications and high efficiency. Image: DISC Surgery Center |
NEWPORT BEACH, United States – July 31, 2025:
A newly released six-year study authored by Mayo Clinic-trained orthopedic spine surgeon Dr. Steven J. Girdler has confirmed that artificial disc replacement (ADR) can be performed both safely and efficiently in outpatient settings—even for multilevel cervical spine procedures. The study analyzed surgeries conducted at DISC Surgery Center locations in Newport Beach and Marina del Rey, California, and underscores a major advancement in how spinal care can be delivered more affordably and effectively.
The research examined 1,684 cervical artificial discs implanted into 1,043 patients. Among these patients—comprised of 443 women, 559 men, and one unclassified individual—there were no immediate postoperative transfers, no blood transfusions, and no readmissions during the perioperative period. Every patient was successfully discharged to recover at home within 24 hours, underscoring the safety and reliability of ADR in an ambulatory surgical center setting.
Surgical times varied based on procedure complexity. Single-level ADRs were completed in an average of just under 70 minutes, while two-level procedures took just over 93 minutes. Even three-level ADRs, typically considered more complex, were completed in approximately 132 minutes. Despite the increasing complexity of these surgeries, outcomes remained consistently strong across all cases. These results are in line with the broader mission of TriasMD, the parent company of DISC Surgery Centers, which aims to make advanced, motion-preserving procedures more accessible while adhering to the highest standards of surgical quality.
Dr. Girdler emphasized that these findings illustrate the potential for meaningful cost savings to the healthcare system. By enabling routine performance of ADR procedures in outpatient settings, the study supports a shift away from expensive inpatient hospital stays. Patients benefit from quicker recoveries and shorter downtimes, while providers and payers benefit from improved efficiency and reduced financial strain.
The outcomes tracked in this study reflect contributions from a wide group of highly specialized spine surgeons affiliated with TriasMD’s clinically integrated network, Trias Global. This network includes some of the nation's leading physicians such as Dr. Joel S. Beckett, Dr. Robert S. Bray Jr., Dr. Brandon Hirsch, Dr. Nick Jain, Dr. Amer Khalil, Dr. Luke Macyszyn, Dr. Rojeh Melikian, Dr. Ali H. Mesiwala, Dr. Todd Peters, and Dr. Grant D. Shifflett. Each plays a role in advancing safe and effective outpatient care for complex spine procedures.
DISC Surgery Centers are recognized for their excellence in minimally invasive spine surgery, interventional pain management, orthopedics, and sports medicine. Designed with patient comfort and safety in mind, these facilities offer a high standard of care in a welcoming and efficient environment. As part of Trias Global, the DISC centers are integrated into a broader care model that partners with primary care physicians, labs, imaging centers, and payers to deliver coordinated, outcomes-based care.
TriasMD, a portfolio company of Chicago Pacific Founders, continues to invest in physician alignment, advanced technology, and data-driven quality improvement. Its strategy focuses on making complex procedures more accessible while reducing the cost burden on patients and the healthcare system.
This new research positions artificial disc replacement as a cornerstone of modern spine care—one that is not only safe and clinically effective but also adaptable to the evolving landscape of outpatient medicine.